Friday, October 8, 2010

There is a new NXT-G programming book, The Art of LEGO Mindstorms NXT-G Programming by Terry Griffin from No Strach Press, available for LEGO® NXT Mindstorms® robotics fans young (about ages 11+) and old, instructors of NXT robotics, and FLL (FIRST LEGO League) and FTC coaches (using NXT-G programming).

The book starts off with an excellent brief overview of the LEGO® NXT Mindstorms® kit and NXT-G software. Then the book goes into an in-depth coverage of the software. There are nice graphic instructions for building a rather simple “test” robot to practice

programming with. The instructions are given for both the Educational and Consumer/Home versions of the Mindstorns NXT kit. The Move block & Motor block are covered in one chapter and in another chapter an overview of the sensors and the programming them are explained. The rest of the book covers data wires, program flow, a couple of useful programs, my blocks, and datalogging for ding (educational NXT kit) experiments; everything you need to know to become a proficient NXT-G programmer.

The book is written in fairly easy to understand language, there are examples, and lots of pictures of the programming. The instructions for writing a particular program are clear and concise. What I like

is how the author has drawn circles on the programming pictures to highlight the item of discussion. The book’s discussion covers the LEGO® NXT Mindstorms® Educational and Consumer /Home kits and the NXT-G 1.0 and 2.0 software versions, if information is specific for particular version, it is noted with a little icon.

Whether you are a neophyte or intermediate programmer The Art of LEGO® Mindstorms® NXT-G Programming is definitely a good teaching book to have in your library.

By the way, it seems FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) robotics is not only encouraging youngsters to think about similar careers in science & technology, but is actually preparing them for those careers with cutting edge technology.

When Godtfred Kirk Christiansen developed the first LEGO® brick in 1949, he probably had no idea where it would lead…

STEM to STEAM

Not to long ago the U.S. educational system realized it was lagging in the areas of math, and science. So STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering, Math became the new focus in education in an attempt to improve the quality of these subjects, get students interested in these subjects so that we could inspire them to pursue careers in these areas. LEGO Technology and Mindstorms Robotics is a natural tool for teaching STEM.

Now there is a new movement emerging STEM + ART (and DESIGN) = STEAM. Well, you might be saying, “Oh no, not another buzz word.” However, if you think about, Art and Design can be found in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Art and Design can actually help improve on our innovations in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math in our quest to improve the quality of life and our future existence.

And of course, LEGO Technology, Mindstorms Robotics, and littleBits definitely fits in the STEAM objectives.

Learning Code

Inclusion!

Helping an urban community to learn technology!

This non-profit organization was created by one of my former middle school students & FIRST LEGO League team member of the Cyberbots.

Brics~2~Bots Curriculum

Why Brics~2~Bots?

It’s a challenge, it’s hands-on, it’s learning in action. John Dewey set forth the theory that we learn better by doing - we take the knowledge and apply it by building. With LeGology Technology, littleBits Electronics, & MINDSTORMS/TETRIX Robotics Engineering students learn by designing, building, & coding. The benefits of such a curriculum goes beyond the science concepts that can be learned, the math theories that can be explained, and literacy skills that are practiced through communication between students, reflective journals and design worksheets; students express their creativity & learn to problem solve together to reach a goal - creating and inventing “cool devices” capable of awesome tasks. LeGology Technology, littleBits Electronics, & Robotics Engineering (Brics~2~Bots) are great for a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts/Design, Math) program, because it touches on all these subjects.

To see some of the projects by students at Brics~2~Bots, type in "B2B Lab" in the Search This Blog in the sidebar.

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About Me

I have been involved with LEGO® & robotics since 2002. I was the coach of NYC-FLL championship teams: Techno-Eagles, roboGbots, NYCityzens, Dragonbotz, Vulcabotz, Optibotz & The Cyberbots (FLL & FTC). Currently, I am a part-time robotics consultant who sets up LEGO Technology & robotics programs, conducts NXT & EV3 robotics workshops for schools & various organizations (AMNH). I am the Director/Instructor of Brics~2~Bots; a mini LEGO center that supports the S.T.E.A.M. initiative providing individual & small group instruction to children, gifted to special needs. Training & mentoring for new FLL coaches is also available. I am un-shamefully an AFOLAR - Adult Fan Of LEGO And Robotics! ;-)